The RBL Media Podcast

RBL Media

The RBL Media Podcast is for the rule-breakers, the misfits, and the ones who refuse to blend in. Entrepreneurship isn’t polished—it’s raw, relentless, and rebellious. Here, we spotlight the founders and creators who go against the grain, disrupt the norm, and build brands that actually matter. If you’re carving your own path and daring to do business differently, this is your space.

  1. 1d ago

    The Role of AI in Web Design and Why Human Creativity Still Matters

    AI is everywhere right now, and the web design world is no exception. In this episode, Pualena dives into one of the biggest conversations happening in the creative industry: Is AI going to replace designers? After plenty of experimenting, exploring, and even wrestling with a little AI-induced imposter syndrome herself, Pualena shares why she sees AI less as a replacement for human creativity and more as an exciting tool that can help us bring bigger ideas to life. From vibe coding and AI-generated copy to DIY websites and custom animations, AI is growing more capable all the time. But there’s a catch: when everyone has access to the same tools, everything can start looking and sounding the same. For small businesses especially, standing out matters more than ever. Pualena shares why your personality, story, values, vision, and unique brand energy are still some of your biggest advantages, and why a strong brand foundation can actually help you get much better results from AI. Pualena also gets practical about the true cost of DIY. AI might make it possible to build something yourself, but that doesn’t always make it the fastest or easiest option. Between prompting, troubleshooting, integrations, coding, and figuring out how everything fits together, a “quick” AI project can turn into hours (or weeks!) of work. Whether you’re ready to DIY with AI or bring in a professional who knows how to use these tools strategically, this episode is an encouraging reminder that human expertise is still incredibly valuable. Resources discussed in this episode: Claude ChatGPT Gemini Canva --  Contact Pua Pakele | RBL Media:  Website: RBLMedia.co Facebook: RBL-Media Twitter: @RBLMedia_co Instagram: @RBL.Media Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Role of AI in Web Design and Why Human Creativity Still Matters
  2. Jul 21

    Is Your Brand Working For You? Take The 5-Point Brand Audit

    Your brand should do more than look good. In this solo episode, Pualena shares a powerful five-point brand audit designed to help business owners evaluate whether their brand is truly working for them or whether they're constantly compensating for misalignment. She breaks down what branding really means beyond logos and colors, explaining why brand energy, consistency, and alignment are the true drivers of recognition and growth. Throughout the episode, Pualena explores the five essential areas every entrepreneur should regularly assess: audience alignment, visual coherence, voice consistency, offer clarity, and marketing leverage. Each section includes a diagnostic question, common warning signs, practical exercises you can complete this week, and guidance on recognizing when it's time to seek outside support. Along the way, she shares personal stories from her own rebrand, lessons learned from years of running RBL Media, and actionable strategies that can immediately improve how your business is perceived. Whether you're a new entrepreneur refining your message or an established business owner preparing for your next stage of growth, this episode will help you identify where your brand is building momentum and where it's quietly costing you opportunities. Grab a notebook, work through the exercises, and start building a brand that consistently works on your behalf. Resources discussed in this episode: Wordpress.org Squarespace Kajabi  RBL Brand Wrap --  Contact Pua Pakele | RBL Media:  Website: RBLMedia.co Facebook: RBL-Media Twitter: @RBLMedia_co Instagram: @RBL.Media Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Is Your Brand Working For You? Take The 5-Point Brand Audit
  3. Jun 23

    The Three Layers of Visibility Every Business Owner Needs to Master

    In this episode, Pualena explores why visibility is one of the most overlooked yet essential components of business growth. While many entrepreneurs focus on perfecting their products or services, she explains that even the best offer cannot succeed if nobody knows it exists. Using her signature framework, "Get Visible. Be Memorable. Stay Profitable," Pualena breaks down the three layers of visibility that help businesses build awareness, establish trust, and create long-term momentum. She walks listeners through the first two layers: what you say and where you say it. The first layer centers on storytelling, including both your own origin story and the transformation stories of your clients. Pualena explains how authentic storytelling creates connection, attracts aligned clients, and helps potential customers see themselves in your journey. She also introduces a powerful placement strategy using the metaphor of a storefront on a busy street versus a hidden shop in an alleyway, illustrating how businesses can leverage both high-traffic platforms and niche communities to grow their audience. Finally, Pualena explores the concept of being "Omni AF," a term coined by her mentor Pia Silva, which describes the experience of appearing consistently across multiple platforms and touchpoints. She discusses the importance of creating content regularly, overcoming the "cringe ceiling" that keeps many entrepreneurs from showing up, and building systems that support long-term consistency. Whether you're just beginning to market your business or looking to increase your visibility in a crowded marketplace, this episode offers practical strategies to help you stand out, attract the right audience, and create lasting brand recognition. Resources discussed in this episode: Pia Silva – Business strategist, author, and founder of No BS Agency Mastery Scale Solo by Pia Silva Yelp for Business  --  Contact Pua Pakele | RBL Media:  Website: RBLMedia.co Facebook: RBL-Media Twitter: @RBLMedia_co Instagram: @RBL.Media Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Three Layers of Visibility Every Business Owner Needs to Master
  4. Jun 9

    I Rebranded Myself in a Weekend (and Finally Took My Own Advice)

    In this episode, Pualena takes listeners behind the scenes of a complete business rebrand that happened in less than 48 hours. What began as a creative experiment quickly became a powerful reminder of the importance of alignment. After years of tweaking, redesigning, and chasing inspiration from other brands, she realized that her own brand had become disconnected from the bold, rebellious energy that originally inspired RBL Media. By revisiting her mission, values, ideal client, and positioning, she uncovered a visual identity that finally felt authentic. Pualena shares how discovering the design style known as neo-brutalism unexpectedly validated everything she had been creating intuitively. Characterized by bold colors, thick outlines, hard shadows, expressive typography, and a rejection of polished corporate design trends, the aesthetic perfectly reflected the rebellious spirit at the heart of her brand. She explains why embracing this direction has made content creation easier, strengthened brand consistency, and reignited her excitement about sharing her business with the world. This episode is also a powerful reminder that branding is far more than logos and color palettes. Pualena explores how a cohesive brand experience builds trust, creates predictability, improves user experience, and helps potential clients quickly determine whether they're the right fit. Through her own experience, she reflects on the transformation she sees clients experience when they finally feel proud of their website, brand, and online presence and why that confidence can have a profound impact on business growth. Resources discussed in this episode: Claude AI Contra Canva Google Analytics (GA4) Hotjar FullStory Kajabi  --  Contact Pua Pakele | RBL Media:  Website: RBLMedia.co Facebook: RBL-Media Twitter: @RBLMedia_co Instagram: @RBL.Media Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    I Rebranded Myself in a Weekend (and Finally Took My Own Advice)
  5. May 26

    Sustainable Project Management Tools for Success

    In this episode, Pua dives deep into the world of project management systems, client portals, and business organization tools. She shares the real behind-the-scenes evolution of RBL Media’s workflow, from platforms like Trello, Asana, ClickUp, and Kajabi to building a fully customized Notion workspace. Pualena explores the challenges of all-in-one platforms, sustainable systems, KPI tracking, tech stack management, and creating workflows that actually support long-term growth and team collaboration. Pua breaks down why many project management systems fail—not because of the software itself, but because of inconsistent team buy-in and unsustainable processes. She discusses the importance of communication, transparency, and flexibility when building systems that serve both internal teams and clients. From client portals to SOP creation, KPI dashboards, automation, and AI-assisted workflows, this episode is packed with practical insights for entrepreneurs and agency owners looking to streamline operations without overcomplicating their business. Pua also shares why she’s shifting away from relying entirely on all-in-one platforms and instead building a more diversified, adaptable tech stack. She opens up about the lessons learned from years of experimenting with tools, the hidden costs of subscriptions and integrations, and how platforms like Notion and Claude are helping RBL Media create more intentional, sustainable workflows. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, service provider, or growing agency owner, this episode offers a transparent and relatable look into building systems that evolve with your business. Resources discussed in this episode: Kajabi Notion ClickUp  Trello  Asana Claude AI Zapier Calendly Workflow Markup.io Loom Basecamp --  Contact Pua Pakele | RBL Media:  Website: RBLMedia.co Facebook: RBL-Media Twitter: @RBLMedia_co Instagram: @RBL.Media Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

  6. May 12

    Taking Control of Hustle Culture & Building an Authentic Brand with Rachel Lee

    In this episode, Pua sits down with brand designer Rachel Lee to unpack the realities of hustle culture, the power of personal branding, and what it truly means to build a business that feels aligned. From navigating burnout to embracing authenticity, Rachel shares her journey of redefining success on her own terms. Together, they dive into the evolution of branding and web design, discussing why long, drawn-out projects often fail both clients and designers, and how a more streamlined, strategy-first approach leads to better outcomes. They explore the role of AI in the creative process, the importance of trusting your instincts as a business owner, and why storytelling (especially on your “About” page) is one of the most powerful tools in building trust and connection. Rachel opens up about her personal journey through burnout, debt, and identity shifts, revealing how embracing her true self transformed both her life and her business. This conversation is a raw and honest look at entrepreneurship, covering topics like hustle culture, self-care, authenticity in marketing, client relationships, and building a brand that actually reflects who you are, not who you think you need to be. About Rachel Lee Rachel Lee is a brand designer and creative entrepreneur known for her bold, immersive approach to personal branding and web design. Through her work, she helps business owners translate their ideas, values, and personality into visual identities that feel deeply aligned and authentic. After navigating her own journey through burnout, financial stress, and identity misalignment, Rachel rebuilt her business around radical self-expression and intentional design. Today, she empowers entrepreneurs to embrace who they truly are, showing up online with confidence, clarity, and a brand that genuinely connects. --  Contact Pua Pakele | RBL Media:  Website: RBLMedia.co Facebook: RBL-Media Twitter: @RBLMedia_co Instagram: @RBL.Media Contact Rachel Lee:  Website Instagram LinkedIn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Taking Control of Hustle Culture & Building an Authentic Brand with Rachel Lee
5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The RBL Media Podcast is for the rule-breakers, the misfits, and the ones who refuse to blend in. Entrepreneurship isn’t polished—it’s raw, relentless, and rebellious. Here, we spotlight the founders and creators who go against the grain, disrupt the norm, and build brands that actually matter. If you’re carving your own path and daring to do business differently, this is your space.